Saturday, August 23, 2014

In the last two weeks I have logged over 150 miles and at least 48 hours on the local trails. I have had the opportunity to share some of my most challenging runs with good friends. Jana joined me for a three hour traverse of Thomas Mountain: we didn't start running until 8pm and completed the entire road in the dark! A week later, Todd rallied for a nine hour tour of the San Jacinto high country. And, my brother Matt was here for a much needed recovery run on Monday morning. Sharing the trail with friends has made me realize how important they are. For this reason, the Lymphedema Awareness Team is changing its focus for the next 4 weeks. We are not putting a Fundly button on our page, we are not asking anyone to donate money. We need more friends. Please, help us make some new friends.

Sunday, August 17, 2014

“I hope I feel this good when I finish the Kodiak 100,” was
my first thought after completing today’s long run. Yes, I am physically exhausted. Because of all the elevation gain and loss,
the roots, the rocks, the water bars, and the sand, it is understandable why.However, my mental endurance,
stamina, and motivation were really put to the test today.When my alarm went off at 4am,

I could not fathom climbing into the high country again. I needed a place to run that was flat, mindless, and close to the car.I decided to run
the double tracks around Fobes Road.These were my training grounds for the BLU a year and a half ago.They are relatively flat, so I was able to
jog most of the morning.This was a
welcome break from all the elevation gain and loss over the last two days, and
also an added challenge because there were no walking breaks.In the last three days, I was on my feet for
24 hours, covered 90 miles, and climbed over 16,000 ft.Almost exactly what I will have to do in a single
push to finish the Kodiak 100.

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Fatigue is funny. It hit me this morning, much earlier then I expected it to, half way through todays run. It started with thoughts like, "Tomorrows run should be somewhere flat." And, by the afternoon I was thinking, "Does it really matter if I do another 50k on Saturday? Could I just run 20 and then another 10 on Sunday?" After five hours of being of the trail I have continued to ponder these ideas. Yes, the next run is going to be flat. No, it doesn't matter if I run another 50k. But, I will feel a lot better if I do.

Friday, August 15, 2014

100 miles is far, which adds an element of complexity to training for this distance. In almost any other race I would run the distance at least once before toeing the line. Luckily, there is a way to creatively simulate the physical breakdown caused by running 100 miles: back to back long runs. The advantage of dividing the miles into multiple days is that at the end of each run I can have a smoothie, stretch and get a good night sleep. Today was the first of three back to back to back 50k (31 miles +/-) trail runs.

Monday, August 11, 2014

I only have four weeks left before I start to rest and taper for the Kodiak 100. The race directors have finalized the course, aid stations and crew access points. Since this is my first 100, I am not planning on racing. I simply want to run. I want to run 100 miles in less than 36 hours and make it through all the checkpoints before the cut-off times. This approach is allowing me to focus my energy and attention on the process instead of the outcome. Ideally, this frame of mind and process oriented thinking will be beneficial during the race in addition to the next month and a half of training. For me, the process is my running form, my breath, my cadence, my hydration and my fueling. In addition, I want to enjoy running in the mountains on what looks like a spectacular course. Here are some highlights of the Kodiak 100:

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

It was exactly one year ago that Matt and I ran Deer Springs; the trail had been closed for almost a month because of the Mountain Fire. I decided it would be fun to commemorate the re-opening of the wilderness with a large figure eight loop in the high country. I approached today's run with the same gratitude, appreciation and awe that Matt and I shared on our trip to San Jacinto peak 365 days ago.

I hiked up South Ridge and arrived at Tahquitz peak just after sunrise - a quick jog across Chiquapin to Saddle Junction and then a nice climb up Angel's Glide - I dropped down the Strawberry Cienega trail and met up with Deer Springs which I stayed on until San Jacinto Peak - from the Peak, I went down to Wellman's Divide - across Wellman's Cienega - down Angel's Glide - down Devil's Slide to Humber Park - across the Earnie Maxwell Scenic trail to my house. The timing could not have been better, it was cool all morning and lunch was on the table when I got home.

Monday, August 4, 2014

Newton's action-reaction law states simply that, "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." This last week was a low-mileage rest week to balance out the previous higher mileage week. Tuolumne Meadows is an amazing place to run, climb, and fish. It is also the perfect place to stroll through meadows, watch clouds, and sit quietly by the river. Which is exactly what I did last week.